Soldiers, Abu Sayyaf bandits clash in Basilan anew

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Soldiers and Abu Sayyaf bandits clashed anew in Tipo-tipo in Basilan, nearly a week after the military suffered heavy losses there, while a bomb also exploded in the province’s capital on Thursday evening, the military said Friday.

Major Filemon Tan Jr., spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said a bandit was killed while four soldiers were injured in the clash that took place in Barangay Amaloy around 10 p.m.

The encounter took place shortly after still unidentified suspects set off an improvised explosive device near a gasoline station in Lamitan City but police authorities said it was not certain if the incidents were related.

READ: 18 soldiers killed in Sayyaf ambush

Tan also said the operation in Basilan was continuing and no soldier had been pulled out as of yet.

On Saturday last week, 18 soldiers were killed while over 50 others were injured in clashes in Tipo-tipo. CDG

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